United in their battle against cancer - and in their NUFC shirts - young Frankie Sherwood and Hope Feeney were cheered onto the pitch by the Toon Army a t St James’ Park.

And these inspiring scenes show how the youngsters managed to score with the crowd and then on the pitch, which is more than the players themselves managed on Monday.

The Boxing Day treat saw the pals, proudly wearing their Newcastle United shirts, share the spotlight as mascots ahead of the match against Sheffield Wednesday.

And while Magpies’ fans may have had little to smile about as they went on to watch their team beaten 1-0 in the clash, they couldn’t fail to have their spirits lifted at the sight of the little battlers.

Frankie Sherwood (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Both five-year-old Hope and Frankie, three, have neuroblastoma, the childhood cancer which has also struck Bradley Lowery whose own fight against the disease has made international news.

The kick-off might have been past their usual bedtime but they added cheer to a chilly evening and livened up the match by taking penalties at half-time.

The added drama didn’t bother Frankie, who had been given the strip by the club on an earlier visit to the ground when he handed over the ball before the Blackburn Rovers match in November. And this time he was given an away strip.

After his moment on the pitch, Frankie, who recently finished a three-week bout of hospital treatment, had a sleep and is still tired after the excitement of Christmas, said Hayley.

The family, from Dudley, also in North Tyneside , enjoyed a “brilliant” Christmas Day together, added the 32-year-old.

“He opened everything but he got that much stuff there are boxes with things still in.

“Now we’re going to have a day of rest and this week he can just sit and play with his toys before we go back to hospital for all his scans.”

Frankie was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2015 then, despite gruelling treatment, the family were devastated to discover earlier this year that the cancer had returned.

Frankie Sherwood following his 10-hour operation

His most recent chemotherapy finished the Friday before Christmas and he will be back in hospital next Wednesday for scans.

There are hopes he may be able to also try a new kind of therapy in London.